Collected English Elm - Melbourne June 31st - fat trunk but little to no roots

[nerdboy]

Hello, this is my first ever post of ausbonsai. Long time lurker though.

I need some advice. This tree was collected today with little to no roots. I believe it is an english elm. Attached are 3 photos of this girthy boy. It was a pain to remove - I had been wanting to dig this for some time and I had time today on my lunch break. It is currently potted up in the grow box (i built) this afternoon after digging. It is planted "as is" and i'm now second guessing myself whether I should have planted it at a different angle - potentially as a cascade (blue line) or cut along the base (yellow, red, purple lines) to encourage rooting and nebari. Am I correct in thinking that english elm's will root from cut-sites? So if I was to cut the trunk (where the few roots are) flat then I would get root growth at or around the cut site? I have also sealed the top trunk chop with cut putty.

Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated as this is my first english elm.

English elm - as is.jpeg

English elm - where to cut or plant.jpeg

English elm - in grow box.jpeg

[Watto]

In my opinion it is best to leave it as it is now that it is potted for at least 12 months (probably a bit longer) to enable it to establish it in its new environment. At the next repotting it will be time for the decisions.
English elms make great bonsai and I wish you every success.

[Matt S]

I agree with Watto. You won’t know where new buds will shoot from, so now is not the time for design decisions. Good luck!